Chapter 9: A Natural Breakthrough

Chapter 9: A Natural Breakthrough

Exhaustion weighed heavily on my limbs as I stepped out of the hunting ground. The past ten days had been nothing short of a brutal trial—one filled with relentless combat, blood-soaked battles, and the constant sharpening of my instincts.

In those ten days, I had slain over 400 beasts, refining my battle sense to a whole new level. Each encounter had tested me in a different way.

I had fought swift, cunning predators that relied on speed to overwhelm their prey. Their razor-sharp claws and erratic movements forced me to hone my reflexes, dodging at the last possible moment before counterattacking with lethal precision.

Then there were the brute-force beasts—massive, tank-like creatures that shrugged off minor wounds and could crush boulders with a single swipe. Defeating them required me to maximize my strength and endurance, learning how to strike at weak points without exhausting myself too quickly.

The last kind was the most troublesome—mutated beasts with special abilities. Some could spit corrosive acid, others had bodies covered in spiked armor, making them dangerous to engage in close combat. These fights had pushed me to adapt, forcing me to develop new strategies mid-battle.

The result? 107 years of additional lifespan, bringing my total to 215 years.

But it wasn't just the lifespan that I had gained. Every battle had tempered me, making my movements sharper, my decision-making faster, and my body more efficient in combat.

Yet, despite my improvements, I had nearly lost my life while fighting a newly evolved Foundation Stage Level 1 beast. That battle had lasted over three hours, testing me beyond my limits. But I had persevered, and with its defeat, I gained an additional 10 years, bringing my total lifespan to 225 years.

Now, as I approached the gates of the city, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It was time to rest.

Reunion at Home

As I walked into my home, the familiar scent of warm spices and freshly cooked food instantly made me feel at peace. The quiet hum of the city had faded into the background, replaced by the comforting sounds of my mother bustling in the kitchen and my little sister playing in the living room.

The moment I stepped inside, a small figure rushed toward me.

"Bhaiya!"

A soft body slammed into my legs, almost knocking me off balance. I looked down to see Riya, her big brown eyes shimmering with tears.

"Where did you go?!" she wailed, clutching onto my waist as if I would disappear again. "You didn't even tell me!"

I knelt down, ruffling her hair. "I had to go train, Riya. But I'm back now."

She pouted, puffing her cheeks. "You always say that! You missed my dance recital!"

Guilt hit me. "I did?"

She nodded furiously. "Mumma recorded it, but it's not the same!"

Before I could apologize further, my mother appeared from the kitchen, her eyes filled with a mixture of relief and sternness.

"You're finally home," she said, wiping her hands on her apron before pulling me into a tight hug.

The scent of sandalwood and turmeric surrounded me as I melted into my mother's embrace. "You've lost weight," she murmured, pulling back to examine my face.

"I was training," I said with a sheepish grin.

"Training or starving?" she chided. "Sit down, I'll get you some food."

I barely had time to protest before she hurried back into the kitchen.

Just then, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder.

"You're back."

I turned to see my father standing there, his sharp eyes scanning me. Unlike my mother and sister, he wasn't one for emotional reunions. But the slight nod of approval he gave me spoke volumes.

"I heard about your fight," he said. "You survived against a Foundation Stage beast while still at Body Training Level 9."

I nodded.

"That's impressive. But don't let it get to your head. You got lucky this time. Against stronger opponents, luck won't save you."

His words were harsh, but I knew they came from a place of experience. I had barely won that fight. If I had made a single mistake, I would have died.

"I understand," I said sincerely.

He studied me for a moment before his gaze softened. "Good. Now, go eat. Your mother won't stop nagging until you do."

I chuckled and made my way to the dining table, where a hot meal was already waiting for me. The warmth of home was something I hadn't realized I missed until now.

A Scolding from Siya

The next day, just as I was beginning to relax, I heard a loud knock on the door.

I barely had time to open it before Siya stormed in, her eyes blazing with anger.

"You!" she pointed at me, her voice sharp. "Where have you been for ten days?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

I raised my hands in surrender. "Siya, I—"

"Don't 'Siya' me!" she snapped, stepping closer. "You didn't reply to any of my messages! I had to find out from others that you were off fighting for your life!"

I sighed. "I didn't mean to worry you. I was training—"

"Training?" she crossed her arms. "And nearly dying is part of that training?"

I hesitated. She had a point.

Seeing my silence, her expression softened. "Veer, you can't just disappear like that. You don't have to do everything alone."

I looked at her, guilt gnawing at me. "I'm sorry," I said sincerely. "I won't do it again."

She studied my face before sighing. "You better not. Next time, at least let me know."

I nodded, and she finally smiled, the anger fading. "Good. Now, since you're back, let's go get some food. You look half-dead."

I laughed. "That's the second time I've heard that."

A Natural Breakthrough

After two days of rest, I finally sat down to focus on my cultivation. With 225 years of lifespan, I could advance instantly using the system.

But before I did, I wanted to see if I could break through naturally.

I closed my eyes, focusing on my body. The battles, the exhaustion, the countless moments of pushing past my limits—all of it had built up inside me.

Then, suddenly—it happened.

A surge of energy coursed through my veins, and my body trembled as if it were breaking apart and rebuilding itself. My cells seemed to expand, absorbing an unknown force. The sensation was overwhelming, yet strangely natural.

And then—BOOM!

A powerful pulse erupted from my body. The air around me trembled. My muscles tightened, my bones strengthened, and an overwhelming sense of vitality surged through me. I had broken through to Foundation Stage Level 1—naturally, without the system's help.

I opened my eyes, feeling an unprecedented level of strength flowing through me. My senses were sharper. My control over my energy had grown exponentially.

As if responding to my breakthrough, my system displayed a notification.

[ You have naturally broken through to Foundation Stage Level 1! ]

[ You have been rewarded with 130 additional years of lifespan! ]

I exhaled deeply, processing the information. My total lifespan was now 355 years.

I clenched my fists, feeling the raw power coursing through my body. This was only the beginning. With my new strength, I would step into an even greater battlefield.

The real journey was just getting started.

End of Chapter 9

This version adds deeper emotional moments with his family and Siya while keeping the action intact. Let me know if you liked this chapter.....